The My Hero Project - Duke Kahanamoku DUKE KAHANAMOKU by Kainoa from Pukalani, Hawaii Stamp Image of Duke Kahanamoku Duke "Paoa" Kahanamoku is the "father of surfing," a Hawaiian legend, and an Olympic gold medalist in swimming. He is also my hero. Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku is singularly recognized for popularizing surfing world-wide during the 1920s. Spring-boarding off his 1912 and 1920 Olympic swimming fame, the record-breaking champion brought his 10' redwood plank (surfboard) with him wherever he went including the Olympics where he swam. Duke wasn't only a very good athlete, but he also showed his humility, Aloha, and great sportsmanship wherever he went. So Duke to me is not only a hero but he is a special person who gave back to the Hawaiians and showed that he was a great ambassador of Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku was known as "the father of surfing" and now he is a legend all around the world. Duke started off with a redwood board (10ï¿½).

Duke not only surfed, but in 1912 he won a gold medal in the Olympics for swimming the 100 meter free style and won silver in the 200 meter relay. He won the 100 yard free style in the national indoor championship. He was the national outdoor champion in the 100 meter finals in 1916, 1917 and 1920. He won two gold medals in the 1920s; in the 100 meter freestyle and the 4 by 200 meter relay. He set the world record in the 100 meter with 1:00.4 and this took place on his birthday (August 24, 1890). In 1924 he received a silver medal in the 100 meter and his brother got a bronze medal. Statue of Duke Duke lived in downtown Honolulu his whole life and became a beach boy at Waikiki. Today, there is a statue at Waikiki of the Duke. He will always be remembered at the shores of Waikiki for being a beach boy and a surfer.

So Duke doesn't only live in Waikiki but his soul will live throughout the heart of Oahu (Honolulu). Duke Kahanamoku and the Queen Mother of England Dance the Hula Duke "Paoa" Kihinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku lived from August 24, 1890 to January 22, 1968. Duke didnï¿½t just live those years to the fullest, he made history and became an ambassador of Hawaii. When he passed on, he left a whole new world for those to come into the sport of surfing. He will always be a hero for Hawaii and will always be known as "the father of surfing". Duke is not only a hero to me but he is special to me because he gave back to the Hawaiians, and thatï¿½s what I hope to do in the future. Whether it's through sports or giving back to the community, I will try one way to give back to the Hawaiians. Duke showed the love for the sport of surfing and love for Hawaii. If it werenï¿½t for Duke, nobody would even look at the Hawaiians back then.

So one day I hope that I can be a legend for Hawaii like Duke was. Duke is my hero and he is a legend of Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Duke Kahanamoku COPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group Inc. Duke Kahanamoku Considered the father of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) developed the skills that would gain him international fame as an Olympic champion, swimmer, and surfer. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was born into an old Hawaiian family and was one of the last full-blooded Hawaiians. His grandfather was a Hawaiian high chief. As the eldest of six sons, he was named Duke after his father, who had been born during a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh and had been named in his honor. Kahanamoku was raised in the Royal Palace, although his father was a policeman. Kahanamoku's father and uncle taught him how to swim when he was a small boy in the traditional Hawaiian way—by throwing him over the side of an outrigger canoe into the surf.

He learned quickly and was fearless in the water. Growing up, Kahanamoku spent all his free time on the beach. As noted in Great Athletes, "he could swim as easily as walk." In his teens, he dropped out of high school to swim, surf, canoe, shape surfboards, and live on the beach. He and his friends were among the first to be called "beach boys." A tall, trim man, Kahanamoku was a leader among his peers. He never drank or smoked, rarely fought, and trained consistently. Particularly interested in surfing, he had the biggest board of anyone. His 16-foot board weighed 114 pounds and was patterned after ancient Hawaiian designs. Around 1910, he persuaded others to try using longer surfboards; theirs were around eight or nine feet, while his was now a much shorter ten feet. To propel his long board smoothly through the surf required power. A scissor kick followed with a flutter kick gave him that power. His "Kahanamoku kick" would later be adopted by freestyle swimmers after he began shattering world swimming records.

The "Human Fish" Kahanamoku developed a swimming style along with his famous kick that made him nearly unbeatable in the water, especially at long distances. He swam with his head out of the water and achieved maximum push with each stroke. His brother boasted to Malcolm Gault-Williams, writing for Legendary Surfers, that "when he swam, his Kahanamoku kick was so powerful that his body actually rose up out of the water, like a speed boat with its prow up." His large hands and feet probably helped him too. It was also noted in Legendary Surfers that Kahanamoku "had fins for feet." In 1911, William T. Rawlins, who would later become Kahanamoku's first coach, timed him in a 100-yard sprint at the beach off Diamond Head. Impressed, Rawlins encouraged him to enter the first sanctioned Hawaiian Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) swimming and diving championship. In his first race, on a course across Honolulu Harbor, he shaved 4.6 seconds off the 100-yard freestyle world record.

Despite the race being officiated by five certified judges and the course being measured four times, including once by a professional surveyor, AAU officials questioned the unbelievable result and would not recognize it. They even asked if an alarm clock had been used as the stopwatch. Later they would retract that position. Local fans knew that if Kahanamoku went to the mainland and swam competitively, he would prove the judges wrong. His friends raised the money for him to go to the United States and compete in the Olympic trials. He beat records in the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard freestyle and won a spot on the 1912 U.S. Olympic team. New fans called him "The Human Fish" and "The Swimming Duke," labels that were especially appropriate since, according to the New York Times, he would "at one time [hold] every freestyle record up to a half-mile." Olympic Champion Kahanamoku was 21-years-old when he participated in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. He won his first gold medal and set a world record twice in the 100-meter freestyle race.

He also brought home a silver medal as a participant in the 200-meter relay. The accomplishments of Kahanamoku and outstanding all-around athlete Jim Thorpe caught the attention of King Gustaf, who presented them their medals and Olympic wreaths on the Royal Victory Stand. There was no Olympiad in 1916 because of World War I. During this time, Kahanamoku trained American Red Cross volunteers in water lifesaving techniques and toured the nation with other American aquatic champions to raise funds for the Red Cross. At the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, Kahanamoku equaled his own world record in the semifinals, then set a new record in the final of the 100-meter freestyle on his 30th birthday. He had to swim twice to win the gold medal, because the Australian swimmer claimed he had been fouled. The outcome of the second race was the same, a victory for Kahanamoku. As the 34-year-old defending champion, Kahanamoku came in second in the 100-meter freestyle after Johnny Weissmuller (the first Hollywood Tarzan) at the 1924 Paris Olympiad.

According to Legendary Surfers, he would joke in later life that "it took Tarzan to beat me." Though he was on the 1928 Olympic team, he did not win a medal. He participated in the Olympics for the last time in 1932 in Los Angeles. He won a bronze medal as an alternate on the water polo team. As reported in the New York Times, Kahanamoku commented, "I was 42 then. You begin to slow down a little when you get around 40. That's why I switched to water polo." Kahanamoku continued to swim and enjoy water sports. He never formally trained anyone, but he often gave advice to young swimmers on how to improve their style. Father of Surfing Following the Olympics, Kahanamoku cast about for something to do. He read water meters, worked in a drafting office, and did surveying. None of these occupations measured up to his stature as an Olympic gold medalist. He began accepting invitations to exhibitions and swimming meets throughout the United States and Europe, and eventually New Zealand and Australia. Wherever he went, he would demonstrate surfing as well as swimming.

Thereby, he became an unofficial ambassador for Hawaii and for surfing. According to Kings of the Surf, Kahanamoku was "the first to exhibit tandem surfing and the first to demonstrate wake surfing." His long board surfing was recorded on newsreels. In 1915, Kahanamoku introduced board surfing to Australia. He had brought no board with him from Hawaii, so he constructed one there from sugar pine. The concave design of this board gave it greater stability in the rough surf. On January 15, he rode the board for three hours at Freshwater beach, while demonstrating various tricks. Before the demonstration, the lifeguards had tried to convince him not to surf in the shark-infested waters. Afterward they asked him if he had seen any sharks. As related in Legendary Surfers, Duke said, "Yeah, I saw plenty." When asked if the sharks had bothered him, his response was "No, and I didn't bother them." He showed the Australians how to build boards before he left. Some of the surf rides Kahanamoku took are legendary. Perhaps his most famous occurred in 1917, on a monster wave generated by the aftermath of an earthquake in Japan.

The sight of the wave caused many people to run for shelter. Kahanamoku propelled his surfboard to catch the wave, despite its apparent danger. According to Legendary Surfers, he later related: "Sliding left along the watery monster's face, I didn't know I was at the beginning of a ride that would become a celebrated and memoried thing. All I knew was that I had come to grips with the tallest, bulkiest, fastest wave I had ever seen." Though legend has lengthened the ride to many more miles, he rode the wave for more than a mile as it cut across several beaches. In 1925, Kahanamoku demonstrated another use for the surfboard—as a lifesaving device. He and a party of actors and actresses were camped on a beach when a yacht capsized off Newport Beach, California. Grabbing his surfboard, Kahanamoku took off into the wild surf. Of the 12 passengers rescued from the yacht, he was able to rescue eight. Kahanamoku was instrumental in the development and manufacture of the giant hollow surfboards of the 1920s and 1930s and their adaptation to lifesaving work.

His book, World of Surfing, written with Joe Brennan, was published in 1968. Movie Roles Hollywood took notice of Kahanamoku when he gave surfing demonstrations in southern California after the 1912 Olympics. Soon afterward, he began a career as a Hollywood extra and supporting actor. He made more than 30 motion pictures, both silent films and "talkies." The films he appeared in included Adventure and Lord Jim (1925), Old Ironsides (1926), Isle of Sunken Gold (1927), Woman Wise (1928), The Rescue (1929), Girl of the Port and Isle of Escape (1930), Gone With the Wind (1939), Wake of the Red Witch (1948), and Mr. Roberts (1955). He played opposite John Wayne and many other stars. Of his movie roles, Kahanamoku once said: "I played chiefs—Polynesian chiefs, Aztec chiefs, Indian chiefs, all kinds of chiefs." He also was cast as a Hindu thief and an Arab prince. Rodney D.

Keller noted in Great Athletes that Kahanamoku "was physically well qualified for these chief roles because he was 6 feet 3 inches tall and had a majestic bearing and posture." Ambassador of Hawaii For a short time, after his early years in Hollywood, Kahanamoku operated two Union Oil Company gas stations. In 1932, he ran unopposed for sheriff of the City and County of Honolulu as a Democrat. Several years later, he switched to the Republican Party, but his political popularity remained undiminished. As sheriff, he acted as an unofficial greeter for the island. When he left his sheriff's post in 1961, Kahanamoku was paid to greet film stars, politicians, and royalty. As noted on the "Planet-Hawaii" website, the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation was founded in 1963 "to assist young people in [Duke's] areas of interest—water sports, police work, and international relations." In his last years, he also was involved in water sports endorsements, contests, and a restaurant. In the 19th century, King Kamehameha prophesized that Hawaii would one day be overrun by white men.

Before that happened, one Hawaiian man would bring fame to the islands. To many in his generation, Kahanamoku was that man. He died of a heart attack in Honolulu on January 22, 1968. His ashes were placed in the sea, from which he believed he had come. Further Reading The Big Book of Halls of Fame in the United States and Canada, edited by Paul Soderberg and Helen Washington, Bowker, 1977. Great Athletes, Salem Press, 1992. Olney, Ross R. and Richard W. Graham, Kings of the Surf, G.P.Putnam's Sons, 1969. Truitt, Evelyn Mack, Who Was Who on Screen, Bowker, 1983. Wallechinsky, David, The Complete Book of the Olympics, Penguin, 1984. New York Times, January 23, 1968. "Duke Kahanamoku, Father of Surfing," Watermen, Surf Culture website, (October 27, 1999).

"Legendary Surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku," Legendary Surfers, Volume 1, Chapter 5, (October 27, 1999). "Memories of Duke," Planet Hawaii … website (October 17, 1999). "The Outrigger Duke Kahanmoku Foundation," Planet Hawaii … website (October 17, 1999). □ Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. MLA Notable Hawaiians Who Participated In The Olympics | Aloha Valley Notable Hawaiians Who Participated In The Olympics e-Magazine 0 Duke Kahanamoku – Honolulu, Oahu Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was a competition swimmer who was also known as an actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. Kahanamoku was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. He participated in the Summmer Olympics of 1912, 1920, 1924 and 1932.

Pua Kealoha – Waialua, Oahu Pua Kele Kealoha was a competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. Kealoha represented the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Belgium as a 17-year-old. He won a gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay with teammates Perry McGillivray, Norman Ross and Duke Kahanamoku. The U.S. relay team set a new world record of 10:04.4 in the event final. Individually, Kealoha also received a silver medal for his second-place performance in the men’s 100-meter freestyle. Samuel Kahanamoku – Honolulu, Oahu Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku was a competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he won a bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter freestyle event. He is the younger brother of Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku.

Harold Sakata – Holualoa, Hawaii Toshiyuki “Harold” Sakata, was an Olympic weightlifter, professional wrestler, and film actor. He won a silver medal for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London in weightlifting. He was also an actor, with his most famous role as the villain Oddjob in the James Bond film Goldfinger. Natasha Kai – Kahuku, Oahu Natasha Kanani Janine Kai is a professional soccer forward and Olympic gold medalist. She previously played for Sky Blue FC and the Philadelphia Independence of Women’s Professional Soccer as well as the United States women’s national soccer team. In 2011, Kai was also part of the first US women’s rugby union sevens team to play in the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup held in Dubai. Yoshi Oyakawa – Kailua, Oahu Yoshinobu Oyakawa is a former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. He represented the United States at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, where he won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke event.

Oyakawa is considered to be the last of the great “straight-arm-pull” backstrokers. He was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1973. Warren Kealoha – Honolulu, Oahu Warren Kealoha was a competition swimmer who was twice an Olympic gold medalist and a world record-holder. Kealoha won the 100-meter backstroke event at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics. During his career, Kealoha set four world records, first at the 1920 Olympics and last in Honolulu in 1926. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an “Honor Swimmer” in 1968. Robyn Ah Mow-Santos – Honolulu, Oahu Robyn Mokihana Ah Mow-Santos is an indoor volleyball player, a setter on the USA national team and played at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2004 Athens Olympics, and also played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping Team USA to a silver medal.

She now works as an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Team. Kevin Wong – Honolulu, Oahu Kevin Kahn Wong is a 6’7″ professional beach volleyball player who competed in the AVP tour. In 2000, he placed fifth paired with Rob Heidger at the Sydney Olympics. Wong was named to People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue in 2000. Wong graduated from Punahou School and attended UCLA, where he helped the Bruins win the 1993 and 1995 NCAA Championships and was a three-time All-American. Clay Stanley – Honolulu, Oahu Clayton “Clay” Iona Stanley is a volleyball player. Stanley has been on the U.S. men’s national team since 2000 and has made three Olympic appearances, in 2004, 2008, and 2012. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, after guiding his team to the gold medal. Brian Viloria – Waipahu, Oahu Brian Viloria is a Filipino from Hawaii professional boxer.

He was a former WBO and WBA Flyweight champion. He also won the WBC Light Flyweight and IBF Junior Flyweight titles. Viloria represented the United States at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. His nickname “The Hawaiian Punch” was first given to him by Jesus Salud, another former world champion in boxing. Christel Simms – Ewa Beach, Hawaii Christel Simms was a college swimmer who attended the University of Southern California. She represented the Republic of the Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the sport of swimming for the 100-meter freestyle event. Simms has broken 54 individual Hawaii records since she was 9 years old. Simms became a member of the USA National Junior Swimming Team in 2007. Clarissa Chun – Honolulu, Oahu Clarissa Kyoko Mei Ling Chun is an Olympic Women’s freestyle 48 kg wrestler. She is the first woman wrestler from Hawaii to win a medal at the Olympics.

1000+ images about Project: Duke Kahanamoku on Pinterest | Duke, Surfing and Press photo Forward Swimming Star Duke Kahanamoku..The swimming and surfing star was born on Aug. 24, 1890 Monday marks what would have been the 125th birthday of the late Duke Kahanamoku, who during his lifetime was an Olympic swimmer and Hawaiian public official. Kahanamoku is best known today for boosting surfing’s popularity and introducing the sport to many regions around the world.. See More Duke Kahanamoku | Aloha Surf Guide Aloha Surf Guide The Official Surf Guide of Hawaii Menu Leave a reply Honoring Duke’s legacy, every summer… The 12th annual Duke’s OceanFestwill be held at venue sites throughout Waikiki, from Saturday, August 17, through Sunday, August 25, 2013. The 9 day event features a variety of ocean sports that were close to Duke Kahanamoku’s heart: Longboard Surfing, Paddleboard Racing, Swimming, Tandem Surfing, Surf Polo, Beach Volleyball, and more!

Duke’s OceanFest is held each summer in Waikiki in honor of Hawaiian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who is remembered as the greatest waterman who ever lived, and Hawaii’s ambassador of Aloha. Among his many accomplishments, Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic gold medal swimmer, a surfer, an esteemed canoe steersman, a Hollywood actor, and the Sheriff of Honolulu. The festivities commence on August 17 with a lei draping ceremony at Duke’s statue. Duke’s birthday celebration is on August 24th, and festivities continue with the KINE Luau and Waterman’s Awards. The festival celebrates Duke Kahanamoku’s life, his athletic contributions, and of course, his spirit that still lives on. The festival also includes a number of surfing events, including a Keiki Surf Competition, a Wahine Longboard Competion, a Kane Longboard Competition, and tandem events. There will also be opportunities for the endurance athletes interested in a swim, paddle, and/or run event. Schedule of Events Stand-Up Surf Off For event times, click HERE.

Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (1890 – 1968) was a swimmer, actor, lawman, one of the pioneer players of beach volleyball, and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. The name “Duke” is not a title, but a given name. He was named after his father, Duke Halapu Kahanamoku, who was christened “Duke” by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in honor of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who was visiting Hawaii at the time of the elder man’s birth in 1869. Kahanamoku easily qualified for the U.S. Olympic swimming team in 1912, breaking the record for the 200 meter freestyle in his trial heat for the 4×200 relay. He went on to win a gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, and a silver with the relay team.

During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, he won gold medals both in the 100 meters and in the relay. He finished the 100 meters with a silver medal during the 1924 Olympics in Paris, with the gold going to Johnny Weissmuller and the bronze to Duke’s brother, Samuel Kahanamoku. He also played for the U.S. water polo team at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Duke is fondly remembered today as an exemplary human being and the greatest waterman who ever lived. A powerful ‘one-man visitor’s bureau’, Duke graciously welcomed waves of visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in his time, and was regarded as a symbol of all that is good in Hawaii. Please take a moment to view the Waterman Hall of Fame to learn about other individuals whose contributions to water sports unite, inspire, and remind us of the unique opportunities our oceans provide to our communities. The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation is responsible for the continuing success of the OceanFest events. ODKF is a progressive, proactive organization whose board members are dedicated to serving Hawaii’s water sports community.

The mission of the foundation is to support the development of individuals and organizations which perpetuate the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku. Other missions of the foundation include: Encouraging athletes and scholars whose endeavors will contribute to the growth and development of athletics in Hawaii Supporting athletic events and participation by teams and individuals ranging from local to international competition Helping individuals in furthering their education Assisting in preserving, perpetuating, and developing sports which have a special cultural or historical significance to Hawaii ODKF’s emphasis is reaching scholar-athletes competing in “Duke sports” statewide who have demonstrated outstanding academic and community service. We are able to do this because of the generous donors who believe in the value of our mission. In addition to giving financial assistance, ODKF continues to promote and grow in two other areas: Duke’s OceanFest and the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame. Duke’s OceanFest occurs annually during the week of Duke’s birthday on August 24. A subsidiary of ODKF, the OceanFest Board works tirelessly in organizing Waikiki’s premier ocean sports event. We have strong evidence that Duke’s OceanFest is attracting local, national, and international attention and expect participation to increase in the coming years.

To learn more, please visit their website at www. dukefoundation.org . Leave a reply By Taryn Wong Fowler – Duke Paoa kahanamoku, a true waterman, surfer, canoe paddler, record breaking swimmer, “the King of Waikiki Beach,” and the first truly famous beachboy” was born in 1890 and raised in Kalia, Waikiki. His father (Duke Halapu Kahanamoku) and his mother (Julia Pa’akonia Lonokahikina Paoa) were both from prominent Hawaiian families. As a keiki Duke grew up in a modest home on the beach where the Hilton Hawaiian Village now stands. Duke was the eldest of nine children with five brothers and three sisters. He spent his childhood playing the beach with his 31 Paoa cousins. Duke learned to swim as a toddler with his many cousins, the old way. “My father and uncle just threw me into the water from an outrigger canoe. I had to swim or else.” Surfing was learned by trial and error and when Duke was a young boy only about a handful of individuals were riding surfboards.

By age seven or eight years old, Duke was swimming, surfing, body surfing, and diving. As a teenager, Duke was in and out of schools and eventually dropped out of McKinley High to help the family pay bills. In 1908, Hui Nalu or “Club of the Waves” a Waikiki beach club was formed, and Duke was the club’s leader. He continued to spend every day at the beach swimming, surfing, and canoe paddling. Duke’s life changed at age 21 when he broke the world’s 100 yard freestyle record at the first Amateur Athletic Union-Hawaii sanctioned swim contest. A few months later in February 1912, Duke and three others participated in AAU National Swimming Championship, and Duke eventually secured himself a place on the Olympic Team. Duke eventually competed in several Olympic games until the age of 42 winning 6 total Olympic medals. Duke’s competitive swimming career allowed him to travel across the world. He competed in more than 50 international races. During his travels he introduced surfing and Hawaii to the rest of the world.

Duke was the first man to surf on both the East and West Coasts of the United States and to take surfing to Australia. During Duke’s visits in 1914-15, he taught the Aussies how to shape surfboards and helped them choose and ride waves. In 1922, Duke relocated to California and worked for Paramount Pictures and appeared in 28 Hollywood movies. Because of AAU rules he could not receive money for swimming and so to pay bills between movies he worked as a lifeguard and as a mechanic. He spent his weekends surfing. After living in California for several years, Duke returned to Oahu in 1929. In 1934, Duke ran for the City and County of Honolulu Sheriff’s Office and won. He held the office for the next 26 years. Duke Kahanamoku was the greatest aquatic sportsmen the world has ever seen. Duke was the father of U.S. modern swimming and international surfing, a champion diver, bodysurfer, water polo player, surfboard polo player, fisherman, paddler, yachtsman, and sailor.

He broke world swimming records, was the first Hawaiian to travel the world swimming and surfing, earned Olympic medals, and was the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Dukes legacy lives on today… the last bloodline at Waikiki Beach. Aloha Beach Services Beachboys (left to right): Fritz Belmoro, Shayne Robello, Didi Robello, Josh Silva and Ronny Faatua. Fritz is one of the best rippers on the South Shore. Harry S. Robello, an original Waikiki Beach Boy, founded Aloha Beach Services in 1959. In 1962, Harry married Barbara Kahanamoku (Duke Kahanamoku’s niece). In 1983, Harry and Barbara’s eldest son, Harry D. Robello nicknamed Didi, took over the family business.

Didi, a second generation Waikiki beachboy and a third generation Kahanamoku, states, “Waikiki is in our blood, it’s not a part of our family, it is our family.” Didi wants visitors who come to Hawaii to “Save the shopping for later and come to the beach first!” Today Aloha Beach Services still offers surfing lessons, Outrigger Canoe rides, and everything else you need for a true Waikiki beach experience, while carrying on the Waikiki Beach Boy aloha. They are located in the heart of Waikiki Beach between the Moana Surfrider Hotel and Duke’s Restaurant and have been operating at the same location longer than any other beach service in Waikiki. Aloha and Welcome to Waikiki.com : Duke Kahanamoku Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 � January 22, 1968), was born in Hawaii on August 24, 1890. He is generally regarded as the father of modern surfing, Olympic champion and legendary waterman.

The name "Duke" is not a title, but a given name. He was named after his father, Halapu Kahanamoku, who was christened "Duke" by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in honor of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who was visiting Hawaii at the time of the elder man's birth in 1869. The younger "Duke," as eldest son, inherited the name. Growing up on the outskirts of Waikiki (near the present site of the Hilton Hawaiian Village ), Kahanamoku spent his youth as a bronzed beach boy. It was at Waikiki Beach where he developed his surfing and swimming skills. Duke along with his teenage surfer friends formed one of the first surf clubs known as Hui Nalu or 'Club Of The Waves'. They were also known as the 'Beach Boys of Waikiki'. At that time in Hawaii the missionaries had stamped out all native traditions, through fear of the unknown, surfing or wave-sliding as it was known at the time was one of these. Duke and his friends are credited with the rebirth of surfing in Hawaii.

In his youth, Kahanamoku preferred an old-school (traditional) surf board, which he called his "papa nui", constructed after the fashion of ancient Hawaiian "olo" boards. Made from the wood of a koa tree, it was sixteen feet (4.8 m) long and weighed 114 pounds (52 kg). The board was without a skeg, which had yet to be invented. In his later career, he would often use smaller boards, but always preferred those made of wood. On August 11, 1911, in an amateur swim meet, Kahanamoku was timed at 55.4 seconds in the 100 yard (91 m) freestyle, beating the existing world record by 4.6 seconds, in the salt water of Honolulu Harbor. He also broke the record in the 220 yd (201 m) and equaled it in the 50 yd (46 m), but the Amateur Athletic Union, in disbelief, would not recognize these feats until many years later.

They initially claimed that the judges must have been using alarm clocks rather than stopwatches, and later claimed that ocean currents aided Kahanamoku. Kahanamoku easily qualified for the U.S. Olympic swimming team in 1912, breaking the record for the 200 meter freestyle in his trial heat for the 4x200 relay. He went on to win a gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, and a silver with the relay team, catapulting him into international stardom. Eight years later he repeated this, during the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, he won gold medals both in the 100 meters, bettering fellow Hawaiian Pua Kealoha, and in the relay. He finished the 100 meters with a silver medal during the 1924 Olympics in Paris, the gold going to Johnny Weissmuller and the bronze to Duke's brother, Samuel Kahanamoku. He also showed up on the U.S. Water Polo team at the 1932 Summer Olympics. All told, Duke won three gold and two silver medals in four Olympic games.

Between Olympic competitions, and after retiring from the Olympics, Kahanamoku traveled internationally, particularly Australia and the United States, to give swimming exhibitions. It was during this period that he popularized the sport of surfing, previously known only in Hawaii, by incorporating surfing exhibitions into these visits as well. His surfing exhibition at Sydney's Freshwater Beach on December 23, 1914 is widely regarded as the most significant day in the development of surfing in Australia. The board Kahanamoku used is retained by the Freshwater Surf Club and can be viewed if the caretaker is approached respectfully. There is a statue of Kahanamoku on the headland at Freshwater. He also made surfing popular in mainland America first in Santa Cruz, California. This is where surfing first started in California. During his time living in Southern California, Kahanamoku also performed in Hollywood as an extra and a character actor in several films, in which he usually played a native chief or a Hawaiian king. In this way, he made connections with people who could further publicity for the sport of surfing. Kahanamoku was also involved with the Los Angeles Athletic Club, acting as lifeguard and competing on both swimming and water polo teams.

While living in Newport Beach, California on June 14, 1925, Kahanamoku rescued eight men from a fishing vessel that capsized in heavy surf while attempting to enter the city's harbor. Twenty-nine fishermen went into the water and seventeen perished. Using his surfboard, he was able to make quick trips back and forth to shore to increase the number of sailors rescued. Two other surfers saved four more fishermen. Newport's police chief at the time called Duke's efforts "the most superhuman surfboard rescue act the world has ever seen." Thus was born the tradition of lifeguards having rescue surfboards at the ready. In 1940, he married the love of his life, Nadine Alexander. She accompanied him when he traveled all over the world. He also served as sheriff of Honolulu, Hawaii from 1932 to 1961, serving 13 consecutive terms. Hawaii music promoter Kimo Wilder McVay capitalized on Duke's popularity by naming his Waikiki showroom Duke Kahanamoku's, and giving Duke a piece of the financial action in exchange for the use of his name.

Duke's was a major Waikiki showroom in the 1960s and is best remembered as the home of Don Ho & The Aliis from 1964 through 1969. Duke's name is currently being used by another business establishment, Duke's Canoe Club & Barefoot Bar, a beachfront bar and restaurant in the Outrigger Waikiki On The Beach Hotel. The decor includes many poster-size photos of Duke � with his brothers in Waikiki, and on his travels in other parts of the world. There is a chain of restaurants named after him in California and Hawaii called Duke's. A monument at Waikiki beach in Honolulu also honors his memory. It shows Duke Kahanamoku standing in front of his surfboard with his arms outstretched. Many honor him by placing leis on his statue. Do not miss visiting this Waikiki landmark! In 2002, Kahanamoku was featured on a first class letter rate postage stamp of the United States Postal Service. Pictured on a USA 37� commemorative postage stamp issued 24 August 2002 (112th anniversary of his birth).

He was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame & Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1965. Duke Kahanamoku was the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984. The Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championships are named in his honor. The Duke died aged 78 and to this day remains a symbol of Hawaii, one of the greatest surfers and most important men in surfing history. "The father of modern surfing," was Hawaii's first ambassador of goodwill. ROCKAWAYS SURFER LEGEND GETS STAMPED - NY Daily News ROCKAWAYS SURFER LEGEND GETS STAMPED ROCKAWAYS SURFER LEGEND GETS STAMPED NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Sunday, September 1, 2002, 12:00 AM Duke Kahanamoku, the 1912 Olympic swimmer who introduced surfboarding to the Rockaways, was honored last week with his own postage stamp, which was unveiled on the peninsula.

Kahanamoku, who visited the Rockaways in 1912 to host a swimming exhibition, is featured on a 37-cent stamp that is available now in post offices nationwide. Kahanamoku made such a profound impact on the community that 10 years ago, local surfers began a letter-writing campaign to the U. S. Postal Service to honor the legend with a stamp. "Soon as he left, they started surfing in the Rockaways," said Tom Sena, who led the campaign. "I felt since he came to New York and introduced the sport of surfing here, it was only fitting. That was 90 years ago. " Sena, owner of the Rockaway Beach Surf Shop on Beach 116th St., started the drive for Kahanamoku's stamp after a street that runs parallel to the boardwalk near Beach 38th St. was renamed Duke Kahanamoku Way. Sena's suggestion, with support from surfers in Hawaii and California, was accepted by the U. S. Postal Service. The stamp was unveiled at The Beach Club Wednesday after it was first shown in Hawaii Saturday on Kahanamoku's birthday. "When this came out, I said, 'Wow!

' " said Brian Kane, 45, a local surfer and assistant manager at the Far Rockaway post office. "There's no other place in the city to surf, only in Rockaway. It was only appropriate that we did it down here. " Born Aug. 24, 1890 in Honolulu, Kahanamoku is best known as the father of international surfing. He is credited with popularizing the Polynesian sport by surfing all over the globe. As a swimmer for the U. S. team during the 1912 Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden, Kahanamoku won a gold medal for the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:03. 4, and a silver medal for the 800-meter relay. He also won medals in the 1920, 1924 and 1932 Olympic Games. He died in January of 1968. George Buonocore, the Far Rockaway postmaster, said, "We do a lot of stamp unveiling in the community. I guess when this came out, it was one of the closest ones to the Rockaways.

What better place to do it than here? " Although Kahanamoku was a native of Hawaii, his stamp is the second that locals can lay some claim to. In June, the U. S. Postal Service unveiled its Hero Stamp, which features George Johnson of Rockaway Park. Johnson was one of the firefighters raising the U. S. flag captured in the famous photo taken at Ground Zero on Sept. 11.

Question: Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimming champion during the years of 1912 and 1924 is credited with popularizing which sport?
Answer: Surfing